Tensile strength is a measure of how much force a material can withstand when being pulled or stretched. It indicates the maximum stress that a material can endure before it breaks. For example, materials like steel and nylon have high tensile strength, making them ideal for construction and manufacturing applications where durability is essential. Understanding tensile strength is crucial in fields like engineering and materials science. When designing structures, engineers must choose materials with appropriate tensile strength to ensure safety and reliability. For instance, the Golden Gate Bridge relies on high-tensile-strength cables to support its weight and withstand environmental forces.